'Two Sisters Bar & Books' Bids Hayes Valley Farewell This Sunday

'Two Sisters Bar & Books' Bids Hayes Valley Farewell This SundayBar owner Mikha Diaz. | Photo courtesy of Two Sisters
Teresa Hammerl
Published on May 26, 2017

As we reported in March, Two Sisters Bar & Books is shutting down their literary Hayes Valley cocktail spot.

Bar owner Mikha Diaz tells us that this won't be the last time we'll hear from them. Plans to open Les Arceaux, a new cafe and wine bar in Berkeley, are already in the works.

Two Sisters' Monday night mixology classes will continue at the new location and in 2018, another full cocktail bar will open in the East Bay.

This Saturday will mark the last time Two Sisters Bar & Books will be open with regular service, but on Sunday, friends and neighbors are invited for a farewell party.

"Starting at noon we're putting out cocktails and food. We close at 10pm or when everything is gone, whichever comes first," Diaz said.

Hoodline also sat down with Diaz to look back at Two Sisters' tenure in the neighborhood and what's coming up next for the team.

Diaz wrote a goodbye letter. | Photo: Teresa Hammerl/Hoodline

Why is the bar closing?

For a couple of years now, we've been looking for a way to grow, and we needed the next outlet for that.

We started looking for the right location two years ago. Initially, the thought was that we have some of the senior members here running this place, and have others move to the Berkeley location.

But in these two years, the majority of my team moved to the East Bay. It made so much sense to grow where we are all living. It doesn't make sense to ask people to commute when we don't necessarily have to.

When was the decision made?

After the New Year. We had a lot of ongoing conversations with my senior team about what's the best for us, and it was not an easy decision because we have the community here.

Photo: Two Sisters/Facebook

Can you already tell me a bit more about what's heading to the space next?

I am not allowed to fully disclose, but I can say that it will be a food service concept.

How have you seen Hayes Valley change over the last years?

The neighborhood has changed pretty dramatically.

I think people who have worked in the neighborhood longer would have a broader scope, but just in terms of who our regulars are, who our neighborhood folks are—that has changed. The demographic has shifted to younger people, more single folks, fewer kids, different types of jobs and different interests in the way they use their neighborhood. 

The menu. | Photo: Teresa Hammerl/Hoodline

What are your favorite restaurants in the neighborhood?

It's so hard to say, there are many amazing spots. I love Birba. I think Angie is an absolute rock star. Or Michelle over at 20th Century Cafe, I love the place. And the ladies over at The Riddler are amazing. I love seeing so many women entrepreneurs in the food and beverage service.

Any stories you can share from the last years?

Some of my favorites are of the people who had their first dates here and are now engaged. We had a really lovely couple, they were dating when they first came here, and we've seen them through their wedding, did their rehearsal dinner, they sent us a birth announcement of their son last year.

This place has gotten to mean something in people's lives.

Is there anything else you want to mention?

Just a thank you for letting us be a part of this neighborhood! Thank you and please come see us in the East Bay!